Color measurement

 The "Color Measurement" UE is an introduction to colorimetry. It provides an understanding of how colors are perceived and classified in the various colorimetric systems currently in use. The course begins with a brief historical introduction tracing the most significant stages in the construction of colorimetry, followed by a chapter giving some notions of the "neuro-physiology" of vision, describing how the eye and retina function. This is followed by a chapter on photometry, introducing the quantities essential to colorimetry, in particular spectral luminance, and then a study of colorimetric systems such as RGB, XYZ or L*a*b*. The emphasis in these first chapters is on additive color synthesis, which enables colors to be produced on screens (computer, TV, telephones, etc.). The course continues with an introduction to spectro-colorimetry, which enables us to understand the properties of color mixtures (subtractive synthesis) through its simplest models (Beer-Lambert, Kubelka-Munk, etc.). The course is illustrated by a number of hands-on exercises that familiarize students with the various colorimetric systems, their advantages and disadvantages. It is also supported by practical exercises that enable students to master color measurement devices (colorimeters, spectro-colorimeters) and associated software. A major part of the practical exercises is devoted to comparing color observations and measurements.

Master the key concepts of colorimetry and the usual color systems, with their advantages and disadvantages. Know how to reference a color and communicate it. Be familiar with color measurement devices and know how to use them with dedicated software.

Historical introduction, natural color classification and Munsell atlas, eye and retina function, photometry, fundamentals of colorimetry, visual trivariance, RGB system, CIE XYZ and xyY system, physiological L*a*b* system, introduction to spectro-colorimetry, light-matter interaction, Beer-Lambert and Kubelka-Munk models and their use in formulation.